2026 Cast-A-Ways Fishing League 

Welcome to the 2026 Cast-A-Ways Fishing League!

We have another exciting year upon us! The spirit of this league is about having fun with family and friends! While we all want to “win” this is league is designed to be competitive, but fun! We generally jump in and help each other out at the weigh in and boat launch. It is everyone's responsibility to understand and know the laws. Remember it is everyone's own responsibility to make sure you are following the rules. We will fish 10 Monday nights and one end of the year tournament with a fish fry. 

Membership & Dues

Cast away members will need to pay their dues of $130 per team prior to the first night of fishing.  $10 each week 11 Mondays and EOTY ($120).  Included in that is a $10 per team fee to cover the costs of the website, the cost of printing QR code cards, lamination and the expense of the AI used in our photo catch release app. Bringing the total due to $125 per team for the whole year.  Dues should be paid to Shane Schumacher in cash at the kick off meeting. If you are unable to pay at the meeting, make arrangements with Ryan or Shane.  Dues are required to be paid prior to fishing on the first night. Failure to do so will remove you from the league and a team on the wait list will be invited. 

Please contact Ryan if you have any questions. (218)316-4445. No refunds will be issued for any reason.

Teams

Teams will consist of two people, however up to 3 adults may fish. The two people that are recorded for the team are the only ones allowed to submit fish to the app.  Teams must register online, prior to the kickoff meeting and lake draft. Teams must have a ruler with a 90 degree edge and clear numbers, and will be required to have an internet connected mobile phone. 

We will have a maximum of 15 boats. Previous year teams have priority until the lake draft date. After that we will go off our waiting list, and then open it up to first come first serve. Teams may substitute a member or two each night provided one of the original team members are present. Children 15 and under are not counted as team members. You may also elect to be a team of one if you choose. 

Drop-ins will NOT be allowed this year. However subs are still allowed and encouraged. We encourage all members to bring people to fish with them.  If you have an opening or would like some help in finding subs contact Ryan. 

Payouts (100% of dues are paid back out as cash prizes)

Payout based on # of registered teams taken from $10 per boat paid from dues.

The breakdown from each boat ‘s $10 per week is as follows:

• $1 is added to the yearly points champion
• $0.50 Big Fish Pot Yearly.
• $0.50 Big Fish Pot Weekly. Each week will have a different species determined during the lake draft at the kickoff party.
• $5 goes to first place each week from each boat’s dues.
• $2 Goes to Second place each week from each boat’s dues.
• $1 Goes to Third place each week from each boat’s dues.

Sponsor Prizes 

Each week if available there will be a sponsor prize.  The sponsor will decide how it is earned and will be paid along with the weekly payouts. If the sponsor prize terms are not met it will be rolled over to the next week. (such as biggest perch and no perch are caught). 

Yearly Points Champion

This score is calculated by taking the total points from your 10 top events out of 12 total events. Meaning each team will have two weeks that is not counted toward their totals. The end of the year tournament is included as one of the 12 events.

Big Fish Pots Yearly

The winner of this pot will be whoever catches the largest legal fish of each species. Size is determined by length. If there is a tie, the first fish caught by submitted time stamp will be announced the winner. We have biggest Pike, Walleye, Bass and Youth.

Big Fish Weekly

Each week a Big fish species is selected. The largest fish of that species wins the pot. If no fish from the selected species are caught, the prize will roll over to the next week. Size is determined by length. If there is a tie, the pot will be split.

LakeLady Fisherperson of The Year Award

LakeLady rods has agreed to supply a $500 gift card towards a custom hand made fishing rod of your choice, if you are chosen as the fisherperson of the year. To qualify your team must fish every single event and turn in at least one scorable fish (rough fish do not count). If your team qualifies, all rostered members will receive an entry ticket. The winner will be drawn at our end of the year fish fry. You must be present to win the gift certificate and redeem within 90 days.  

Scoring 

• All scoring will be done on the website.  If you are unable to submit you fish via the website, you will still need to take the photos of the fish and see Ryan for manual processing within 10 minutes of  the end of fishing. 

Additional Bonus Points 

• 1 bonus point given each week you attend. Maximum of 12 points on the year. They are counted towards the points championship. If you do not verify your catches with Ryan at the end of fishing, the bonus point may be removed even if you fished. If you have to leave early before the end of fishing please let Ryan know via text and you will not lose your bonus point.  

Schedule

Below you will find the schedule for this year.  This list is subject to change (Only with approval from league commissioner) and will be updated on the Facebook group and on this page. The schedule is based off other fishing leagues and tournaments to avoid fishing pressure.  As of 2026, Minnesota has adopted a new year-round catch-and-release season for largemouth and smallmouth bass on inland waters, so we will start fishing in May, excluding memorial day.

Weather Cancellations

We will not cancel for any reason. If you do not feel safe then do not go. You are responsible to make your own decisions on this. There are 2 weeks that points are not counted towards the season championship that you can use if needed.  If you choose to end fishing early, the fish that have been submitted will be counted.  If the weather is not viable for the weigh in (fish verification) and prize handouts. The results will be posted on the site and Facebook. Prizes can then be picked up the next week.  

Everyone is responsible for knowing all laws/restrictions.
All Minnesota fishing regulations will apply! We are stewards of the sport and need to set a great example in the community.

Trophy Fish Verification.  - We will not have this anymore since it is photo then release. 

Additional Rules

• Maximum of 3 adults per boat. There is no limit to minors (15 and under) and are allowed to fish.
• All communication will come through this website or our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/castawaysfishing (please invite anyone interested).
• You may fish solo in a boat if you choose. 
• Slot fish rule. You may catch and score fish of any size. There are no restrictions on slot fish.
• Payouts are done weekly except the yearly prizes.  Shane will handle the payouts each week. 
• You can fish any connecting body of water to the lake we are fishing on.  
• Team will be disqualified for the day if breaking a State or league fishing regulation or caught cheating.
• Take off time can be a maximum of 15 minutes early provided all boats are on the water at the commissioner's direction.
• Pre-fishing and scouting is permitted, however 2 hours prior to the start of fishing, all boats are limited to the starting area. You are not permitted to scout or pre-fish during this time. 
• At the start of fishing no fish can be in your live-well. Commissioner may do random checks to verify as his discretion. If fish are in your live-well, no fish will be scored for your team that night.
• If you are unable to make an event please message Ryan prior to the event so we do not wait around if not necessary.  
• All voting will be done by boat captains. (1 per team).

Fish Verification

All teams will need to send one person to Ryan's boat within 10 minutes of the end of fishing. Ryan will review the fish submitted with you briefly and give you your score.  Even if you know you lost, please come support the league, learn about the sponsor and congratulate the winners. If your team leaves early please inform Ryan via text. If you do not come to verify the fish with Ryan, your show up point will be removed for the night unless arrangements with Ryan have been made ahead of time.

Scoring

• Scoring will be done on our website in the members area.
• No scoring grievances will be heard after the money is paid out. The website is programmed and will not make any mistakes on scoring. Once the scores are finalized they cannot be edited. 
• Each team can score up to 6 fish per night with a maximum of 4 for any species.
• Each team can only score 6 game fish for measurement.  You fish can be culled and managed in the website app.  
• Rough Fish – limit 1 - Any legal size 1 point will be added to your score after submitting on the website app. Does not count toward the 6 fish total. (Crappie, perch, rock bass, bull head, catfish etc..)
• You must have a QR code Card in the photo clearly visible with each submission.  Also you must use a ruler with a bump board (90 Degree Angle) and the fish with a closed mouth must touch the bump board type ruler to the left of the photo with belly  facing down on the photo. The numbers on the ruler must be clearly visible.  Rulers must not be doctored, we also verify length using AI, if you are caught with an invalid length due to a ruler being doctored, you will be removed from the league for life and forfeit all funds you have paid in.
• Big fish pots are measured by length and entries are automatically selected by the app. 
• If a team catches a fish from each species (Walleye, Bass and Northern) they will be awarded 5 additional points for a species slam.
• Muskie Rule:  Muskie can count as a pike for species slam purposes and fall under the same sizes and scoring as pike.
• Ties in total points at end of night will be broken by adding the number of 5-point fish for the night. The most 5-point fish will win. If still tied the team that submitted their sixth game fist first wins. Ties can also be resolved by splitting the prize money if both sides agree.
• Trophy Bonus Points.  Get 5 extra points if you catch a trophy fish!  Walleye 28 inch+  Pike  36 inch+  Bass 21 inch+ Musky 54 Inch+

SCORING BREAKDOWN  - (Trophy)  scores include the 5 trophy bonus points.

Bass 

• 13-15 = 2 Points
• 15-17 = 3 Points
• 17-21 = 5 Points
• 21+ = 10 Points  (Trophy) 

Walleye 

• 13-16 = 2 Points
• 16-20 = 4 Points
• 20-28 = 5 Points
• 28+ = 10 Points (Trophy) 

Pike 

• 18-22 = 2 Points
• 22-26 = 4 Points
• 26-36 = 6 Points
• 36+ = 10 Points (Trophy) 

Rough Fish 

• 1 Point 

Muskie 

• 18-22 = 2 Points
• 22-26 = 4 Points
• 26-36 = 6 Points
• 36-54 = 10 Points
• 54+ = 15 Points (Trophy) 

WE ARE STRICTLY CATCH AND RELEASE! 

ALL FISH ARE EVALUTATED BY LENGTH. (We do not weigh any fish!)

ANY RULE CHANGES ARE TO BE VOTED ON AT THE TWO ANNUAL MEETINGS, OR BY THE COMMISSIONER AND SARGENT OF ARMS AGREEING ONLY AS NEEDED.